New Bahrain MP faces expulsion as session is marred by insults, threats

A Bahraini lawmaker who was elected this month to the lower could be expelled after fellow MPs endorsed a petition to remove him.

MP Osama Muhanna Al Tamimi enraged several lawmakers after he reportedly insulted veteran MP Ghanim Al Buainain during a heated argument and threatened to hit him with the booklet he had with him.

The parliamentary debate was discussing the interior ministry measures during the by-elections on September 24 and October 1 when the novice MP, in his first speech, reportedly spoke off the subject matter, prompting Al Buainain to urge him to remain focused on the issue.

However, Al Tamimi became angry and told Al Buainain that he would hit him with the parliamentary booklet. Dramatic scenes ensued and Al Buainain was convinced to leave the chamber to avoid an escalation of the situation.

Al Tamimi later allegedly insulted fellow MP Sawsan Al Taqawi, one of the three women MPs who won seats in the lower chamber in the by-elections, during the lunch break as shocked MPs looked on.

Al Taqawi refused to comment on the causes of the verbal onslaught, saying she would seek legal advice before taking any further action. Following the incidents, 10 MPs, including seven from Al Taqawi’s bloc, have signed a petition calling for Al Tamimi’s removal.

Under the parliament’s by-laws, 10 MPs can start the procedure to have a fellow lawmaker removed. The petition is discussed at the following parliamentary session, but a lawmaker is sacked if at least two thirds of the MPs approve the move.

The lower chamber has 18 new faces after by-elections were held to replace the MPs who represented Al Wefaq society and who resigned in late February.